Degree show shines a light on paper sculpture

A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) student had a lightbulb moment in more ways than one when he created a series of hanging lamps made entirely of paper.

Final year Fine Art student Jonathan Bond was inspired by a simple seashell and replicated the shape in sculptures of different sizes and colours, which were then suspended from the ceiling.

The 24-year old from Preston showcased the impressive piece at UCLan’s annual degree show celebrating students’ creative work.

Jonathan even plans to sell some of the lights and hopes the quirky designs will be popular with homeowners.

He said: “Unusual lighting is fashionable at the moment so I’m hoping that other people might be interested in my design. It’d be great if I could sell some on and I think they’d look good in people’s homes.

“My original plan was actually to make much smaller lights, but once I got started it just started to develop and everything grew and grew. They were hard to make at first but I got better at it as time went on, it took me about an hour per sculpture and then I spray-painted them in different colours.”

Unusual lighting is fashionable at the moment so I’m hoping that other people might be interested in my design. It’d be great if I could sell some on and I think they’d look good in people’s homes.

Before joining UCLan, Jonathan attended All Hallows Catholic High School in Penwortham and Cardinal Newman College in Preston and had always had an interest in design.

He added: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at UCLan. The tutors, people and the design space are great, and I’ve learnt a lot of practical skills. I’d like to pursue design some more and I’m thinking about going on to study a Masters in Design next. The course has led me down that path and I think that’s the next step for me.”